Truss



March 18,1941. J, M, BASS 2,235,756

TRUSS Filed Jan. 4, 1940 Patented Mar. 18, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to a truss.

It is aimed to provide a truss which will cling to the body and remain in place even while the wearer works, and one which is of minimum bulk so that the wearing thereof cannot be detected through bulging or the effect on the clothing.

I especially aim to provide such a construction as will positively stay in the position where it is placed, a construction which is of minimum weight, one which will not scald, rub or blister the skin of the wearer, avoids springs around the small of the back or other means which is the cause of backache and kidney trouble, and a construction which will enable free circulation and movement of the back without displacing the spring or the springs or pads. I also avoid leg straps or strong heavy springs. The construction may be worn at all times.

The more specific objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the description following taken in connection with accompanying drawing illustrating an operative embodiment.

In said drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the truss;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view showing one of the pads in elevation and adjacent parts in section;

Figure 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a cross section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an elevation looking toward the back; and

Figure 6 is a detail perspective view illustrating a modified form.

Referring specifically'to the drawing wherein like reference characters indicate like or similar parts, I0 designates a strap of leather or the equivalent adapted for disposition across the back of the wearer which preferably has enlarged terminals or end portions I I. Longitudinally extending loops l2 are stitched as at I3 to the enlarged portions II and buckles I4 are carried by short straps I5, fastened to the portion I0 adjacent the loops l2.

Pads are shown at I6 having clamp plates I1 and I8 secured by bolts I9 to leather backing members 20 having a soft outer lining 2|, to engage the skin directly and which may for instance be of buckskin. A cushioning disk or body 22 is disposed within the lining and against the backing members 20, the same being sponge rubber or any equivalent.

The clamping plates I1 and IB under any desired pressure, according to the adjustment of the screws I9, engage inclined terminals 23 of generally arcuate metallic spring wires 24, which terminate at their inner ends in eyelets 25 which are normally housed within the loops I2. Said wires 24 are preferably covered by a narrow relatively 5 flat tubular band 26 of leather or the like and a short strap of leather 21, is connected to each eyelet 25 and is adjustably engageable at holes 28 in such straps 21 with the tongues 29 of the buckles.

A leather or other strap 30, which is relatively narrow like that at 26, is provided in adjustable sections 3| and 32 having terminal loops 33 and 34 respectively engaged with the angular terminals 23 of the spring wires 24. Section 3| carries a buckle 35 and a loop 36. The section 32 has a series of holes 31 selectively engageable by the tongue 38 of the buckle and insertable through the loop 36.

Attention is called to the fact that the straps 26 and 30 are usually about three-eighths of an inch or one-half of an inch wide. The entire device weighs but a few ounces. The truss is placed around the body at the small of the back and the spring wires 29 and enclosing parts fit around the hips about two inches below the top of the hip bone. The structure may be worn day and night with comfort. This is true even when the wearer is at work. The structure may be adjusted at the front so that it will fit the rupture 30 and will give the pressure required. I find that the structure will positively cling to the body and remain in its proper position at all times. Attention is called to the fact that the pads I6 are relatively small and very thin whereby they fit so closely to the body that they are completely out of the way. The device does not produce bulk and its presence cannot be detected through the clothing. Free circulation and movement of the back is assured.

Various changes may be resorted to provided they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. For instance as shown in Figure 6, a form is provided wherein a single spring truss may be made out of the double spring truss described with respect to Figures 1 to 5. In such form a strap I0 is provided in lieu of that at I0 constructed at one end like that at I0 and having therefore a buckle I4 functioning'like the buckle I4 and also having a loop I2 like that at I2. One of the spring wires 24 at its eyelet 25 is adapted to be connected by a strap 21 to the buckle l4, such wire 24 being covered by the leather as at 26 and having the inclined terminal 23 on which a pad I6 is mounted as in the first form. At the other end of the strap Iii, in lieu of a spring and associated structure, I stitch at 39 a leather strap M. In this form, the strap section 3| with its loop 36 and buckle 35 are also employed and the strap 4!! at the openings 4|, is adapted to adjustably engage with the tongue of the buckle I4. Such a structure may be made in either right or left, according to the location of the rupture.

I claim as my invention:

A truss having a strap for disposition at the back, loops on said strap adjacent opposite ends thereof, spring wires having eyelets, buckle means at the ends of the strap connected to the eyelets, said eyelets being housed, in said loops, straps on said wires, said Wires at their forward ends having downwardly converging terminals, pads having clamps engaging said inclined terminals, and adjustable strap means having downwardly diverging portions at opposite ends secured about said terminals.

, JIM M. BASS. 

